I'm looking to add to my 44 mag arsenal and have narrowed to either Smith 629 (1/2 underlug) or the Ruger Redhawk. If I get the Smith it will be a 6", but the Redhawk would be a 7 1/2". I've heard..........and here's where you all can help me........the Ruger is about as strong as they come, but the Smth action tends to be more smooth. I kind of like the looks a little on the side of the Smith, but the Redhawk looks just fine as well. I've also looked at the Super Redhawk, but I think I like the looks of the Redhawk a bit better, although I really like the stock grips on the Super. Any thoughts???????? Thanks............Jim
Smith or Redhawk??
- Thread starter Worli
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Poohgyrr
Member
What I think is pretty much what you posted. FWIW, I sold my 7 1/2" Redhawk years ago and bought a short .44 lever, put a good receiver sight on it, and began enjoying the extra velocity and accuracy. Still have a Smith too. 
1badmagnum
Member
not many choices in 44 magnum
I have been searching for a good looking 44 magnum wheelgun with a shorter barrel and dont see much selection in 44 magnum.
I own a few blackhawks,a redhawk in 480 ruger,and noticed most 44 magnum guns come 6,7.5,9 inches etc.
smith does make an ultralite,but $900 for a snubbie doesnt excite me.
why cant I find a 44 magnum with 4 inch barrel?
given your choices I'd buy the super redhawk,most bang for the buck,check out this modified super--->
AWESOME CUSTOM
I have been searching for a good looking 44 magnum wheelgun with a shorter barrel and dont see much selection in 44 magnum.
I own a few blackhawks,a redhawk in 480 ruger,and noticed most 44 magnum guns come 6,7.5,9 inches etc.
smith does make an ultralite,but $900 for a snubbie doesnt excite me.
why cant I find a 44 magnum with 4 inch barrel?
given your choices I'd buy the super redhawk,most bang for the buck,check out this modified super--->
AWESOME CUSTOM
Stainz
Member
Several local shops still have a S&W 629 Mountain Gun in stock. In fact, I even saw one of the rare recent limited 29's in the Mountain Gun theme. I bought my 629 MG about a year ago - great intro to .44's for me. If you haven't seen them, they are a tapered tube, partial lug, chamfered cylinder, bright SS 4" .44Mag, capable, according to S&W, of launching any commercial magnum loads. I don't do so - mine is for .44 Russian, Specials, and wimpy magnums. Fun and packable! Check the distributor catalogs & flyers. Local prices are up to $560 or so new now.
Now... you want consistently big bangs?? Consider the Super Redhawk. It has better ergonomics and decent balance in the 7.5" length. It also comes with rings. I have one in .454 - and love it. You can probably buy a .44M SRH for the same or less than the 629MG. Expect the S&W to be potentially slicker in the trigger department - even with just cleaning/lube & use. The SRH has a better trigger than the RH, according to most users. Definitely great ergonomics.
Stainz
Now... you want consistently big bangs?? Consider the Super Redhawk. It has better ergonomics and decent balance in the 7.5" length. It also comes with rings. I have one in .454 - and love it. You can probably buy a .44M SRH for the same or less than the 629MG. Expect the S&W to be potentially slicker in the trigger department - even with just cleaning/lube & use. The SRH has a better trigger than the RH, according to most users. Definitely great ergonomics.
Stainz
Tamara
Senior Member
Worli,
Sounds like you've got the differences between the guns downpat.
If you'll be happy with plain ol' .44 Magnum ammo, with only the occasional superboomer load, then I'd go with the Smith. If you handload, and believe that every shot needs to be detected by local seismologists, then the Ruger is the gun for you.
Sounds like you've got the differences between the guns downpat.
If you'll be happy with plain ol' .44 Magnum ammo, with only the occasional superboomer load, then I'd go with the Smith. If you handload, and believe that every shot needs to be detected by local seismologists, then the Ruger is the gun for you.
If things go as they normally do, the S&W will have a smoother, lighter trigger pull than the Ruger & will, in fact, fell lighter overall.
The Ruger will feel more substantial.
For my initial .44Mag, I went a little different route & picked up a very clean Super Blackhawk. It's great for plinking & has a nice, crisp trigger. I'd like to add a 29 to my collection someday as a nostolgia piece, but for now the single-action fits the bill.
Have fun deciding!
The Ruger will feel more substantial.
For my initial .44Mag, I went a little different route & picked up a very clean Super Blackhawk. It's great for plinking & has a nice, crisp trigger. I'd like to add a 29 to my collection someday as a nostolgia piece, but for now the single-action fits the bill.
Have fun deciding!
Tom C.
Member.
Smith or Redhawk
I have Redhawks in both .44 and .45 Colt, with 5 1/2" barrels. My N-frame smiths are a Model 27-2 and 25-2. The Smiths are probably smoother than the Redhawks out of the box, but the Redhawks smooth up very nicely. IMO, they are much more durable than the N-frame .44s.
I have Redhawks in both .44 and .45 Colt, with 5 1/2" barrels. My N-frame smiths are a Model 27-2 and 25-2. The Smiths are probably smoother than the Redhawks out of the box, but the Redhawks smooth up very nicely. IMO, they are much more durable than the N-frame .44s.
Pappy John
Member
Yep, everyone's got the strong points of each one right. You obviously NEEEEEED both.
Pappy.........You're a man after my own heart! Heck, I oughta buy all 3. I mean, I would like it. My dealer would like it. S&W would like it and Ruger would like it. Sounds like a good plan.........oops.........my sweetheart probably won't go for that and wouldn't you know it, she trumps all of the other players I just mentioned. She's darn good to me though. WHICHEVER I decide, she wants me to have it for a Christmas present. There just aren't enough good women like her in the world.
Seriously, I think I'm going to have to "try em all out for size" so to speak. I have an old 3 screw Super Blackhawk that I like, but I really want a SS double.
How much trouble/cost is it to smooth out the Ruger action?
Is it worth it?
Do you think the Ruger is every bit as accurate as the Smith? Let me know..........Thanks!
Seriously, I think I'm going to have to "try em all out for size" so to speak. I have an old 3 screw Super Blackhawk that I like, but I really want a SS double.
How much trouble/cost is it to smooth out the Ruger action?
Is it worth it?
Do you think the Ruger is every bit as accurate as the Smith? Let me know..........Thanks!
Preacherman
Member
The Ruger action smooths out VERY nicely, and after an action job by a competent smith, is within 90% to 95% of the best Smiths. I've had several Smiths and Rugers done by Clark Custom Guns, and have been very happy with all of them. (I'm taking a S&W 625 up to them tomorrow for them to work their magic on it... )
I personally recommend the Redhawk for anyone who's planning on using hot loads, or doing an extended amount of shooting with it. The barrel can be easily shortened, and a really nice carry piece is the result. For an example, see Hamilton Bowen's conversion job to produce the Alpine model... daddy like!
)I personally recommend the Redhawk for anyone who's planning on using hot loads, or doing an extended amount of shooting with it. The barrel can be easily shortened, and a really nice carry piece is the result. For an example, see Hamilton Bowen's conversion job to produce the Alpine model... daddy like!
The Mighty Beagle
Member
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Having had both, I'll add my .02.
I'd buy the Smith, but not the heavy-barreled lugged one. Here's why ...
1. Weight - Do you want to carry it around in a holster, say as a hunting gun or farm gun? Or do you want something to take to the range with 300 rounds? The reason I ask is, the older I get, the more I like lighter firearms for ease of carry.
2. Strength - more steel = more weight to carry around, and regular .44's are enough power for me. If more power is needed, get a .454 Casull. I prefer to mainly plink around with .44 Spls.
3. Smith quality control, IN MY EXPERIENCE, is better. I was a Redhawk worshipper until my last 2 Redhawks. The first wouldn't function out of the box, and its replacement couldn't hit the side of a barn due to small cylinder throats. These were the last of 6 Rugers I had bought new and been disappointed with quality-wise. I will never buy another Ruger again, they are Taurus-izing their operation.
That being said, the last Smith .44 I had was nothing special and actually had a crappy trigger. I traded it for something I liked better and didn't miss it. I'd buy an older 29 though in a heartbeat.
In case you think I'm biased, you should know I don't own either brand anymore, preferring my Dan Wesson .44 Magnum to the others.
I'd buy the Smith, but not the heavy-barreled lugged one. Here's why ...
1. Weight - Do you want to carry it around in a holster, say as a hunting gun or farm gun? Or do you want something to take to the range with 300 rounds? The reason I ask is, the older I get, the more I like lighter firearms for ease of carry.
2. Strength - more steel = more weight to carry around, and regular .44's are enough power for me. If more power is needed, get a .454 Casull. I prefer to mainly plink around with .44 Spls.
3. Smith quality control, IN MY EXPERIENCE, is better. I was a Redhawk worshipper until my last 2 Redhawks. The first wouldn't function out of the box, and its replacement couldn't hit the side of a barn due to small cylinder throats. These were the last of 6 Rugers I had bought new and been disappointed with quality-wise. I will never buy another Ruger again, they are Taurus-izing their operation.
That being said, the last Smith .44 I had was nothing special and actually had a crappy trigger. I traded it for something I liked better and didn't miss it. I'd buy an older 29 though in a heartbeat.
In case you think I'm biased, you should know I don't own either brand anymore, preferring my Dan Wesson .44 Magnum to the others.
Thanks for all of the input.
Made the decision and went with the Smith 629 1/2 underlug. Love the looks.........just need to find the best set of grips for me. If I could take the grips off a Super Redhawk and make em fit, I'd probably be thrilled, but there's a lot of good grips out there so that piece will work its way out.
My opinion......Just like my wife (who's made it my Christmas present)..............she's a beauty!
Made the decision and went with the Smith 629 1/2 underlug. Love the looks.........just need to find the best set of grips for me. If I could take the grips off a Super Redhawk and make em fit, I'd probably be thrilled, but there's a lot of good grips out there so that piece will work its way out.
My opinion......Just like my wife (who's made it my Christmas present)..............she's a beauty!
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